embla nordic food awards

We call for nominations in October 2021 – nominate candidates here.

The next EMBLA Food Awards will be held in Oslo March 11th 2022.

EMBLA, the Nordic Food Awards, creates visibility for Nordic food and the innovative people behind it, both in the Nordic countries and internationally. The purpose of EMBLA is to strengthen the knowledge of Nordic food.

The Nordic Farmer’s Council, NBC, is responsible for EMBLA Food Awards with the support from the Nordic Council of Ministers.

For further information, please contact:
Kari Marte Sjøvik – Project manager – kari.marte.sjovik@bondelaget.no
Guro Bjørnstad Heimly – communication adviser – guro.bjornstad.heimly@bondelaget.no

Categories

Click on the logos to see the 2019 nominees in each category


Goes to the farmer, the fisherman, the hunter or the collector, who represent raw ingredients of high gastronomic quality, who make use of the Nordic natural and cultural terroir and who himself is producing, catching or collecting the raw materials.


Goes to a person, a company or an organization, who has developed a new method which is built on food artisan tradition and has broad appeal and market potential.


Goes to a food artisan, who have developed a unique product which represent a high gastronomic quality and is rooted in Nordic raw ingredients and artisan traditions.


Goes to a person, a storyteller, a media or a concept, which communicate the joy and enhance the knowledge for Nordic food.


Goes to a person or an organization, who has done an extraordinary effort to encourage meals, quality and a Nordic food culture in public meals.


Goes to a society, an institution or a community, who has assembled producers of raw ingredients, restaurants and other local actors to lift a geographic destination through food-culture, cooperation and unity.


Goes to a person or an organization, who has developed an idea or a concept which notably has contributed to develop future generation knowledge and skills in relation to Nordic food and food culture.

Q & A


Nominations for EMBLA, The Nordic Food Awards will be opened on October 1st on the website emblafoodaward.com/nominate. The nomination process will be closed at November 1st.
Everybody can nominate to Embla awards. You can nominate yourself, your organization or the business you work for. And you can also nominate other people, organizations or companies.
It is free to nominate and to participate in the competition on March 11th 2022. It is expected that the nominee participates in the program in Oslo. Costs related to the journey and stay in Norwy are up to each country to decide.
No. The nominated candidates must be anchored to a Nordic country in order to be considered for a nomination.
The Nordic Farmer’s Council, NBC, is responsible for EMBLA Food Awards with the support from the Nordic Council of Ministers. The participants come from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Åland Islands and The Faroe Islands.
The seven categories are following: NORDIC FOOD PRODUCER  Goes to the farmer, the fisherman, the hunter or the collector, who represent raw ingredients of high gastronomic quality, who make use of the Nordic natural and cultural terroir and who himself is producing, catching or collecting the raw material. NORDIC FOOD ENTREPRENEUR  Goes to a person, a company or an organization, who has developed a new method which is built on food artisan tradi-tion and has broad appeal and market potential. NORDIC FOOD ARTISAN  Goes to a food artisan, who have developed a unique product which represent a high gastronomic quality and is rooted in Nordic raw ingredients and artisan traditions. NORDIC FOOD COMMUNICATOR  Goes to a person, a storyteller, a media or a concept, which communicate the joy and enhance the knowledge for Nordic food. NORDIC FOOD FOR MANY  Goes to a person or an organization, who has done an extra¬ordinary effort to encourage meals, quality and a Nordic food culture in public meals. NORDIC FOOD DESTINATION  Goes to a society, an institution or a community, who has assembled producers of raw ingredients, restaurants and other local actors to lift a geographic destination through food-culture, cooperation and unity. NORDIC FOOD FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH  Goes to a person or an organization, who has developed an idea or a concept which notably has contributed to develop future generation knowledge and skills in relation to Nordic food and food culture.
National jury consists of 3 members from each country. The national jury will select one representative for each award category in each participating country. All the juries will come together in the Nordic finale to select the winners.
Jury members cannot vote for candidates from their own country.
On December 15th 2021 the seven nominations from each participating country will be introduced on the website emblafoodaward.com
All nominees are notified, no later than December 15th, of whether they have been nominated.
On March 11th 2022 in Oslo, Norway. The ceremony will take place in the evening, ant the event will be both fysical and digital.
It is expected that the nominee will participate in the ceremony on March 11th in Oslo, Norway. Linked to the Embla Food Award there will be a seminar open for everybody and planned activities for guests during the stay in Oslo.
The criteria for Embla are Nordic, sustainability, inspirational, originality and honesty and the nominees will be judged by the national and Nordic jury according to these criteria.

Winners

Embla 2019 - Nordic Food Awards

Nordic Food Producer 2019

Faroe Islands, Grøna Oyggin

The winner has pioneered the challenging art of growing vegetables on the Faroe Islands, by developing a specialized vegetable cultivation method for a harsh environment.  The availability of high quality local produce has been important for the Faroese gastronomic development.

Nordic Food for Many 2019

Denmark, Anne-Birgitte Agger

The winner is a “machine with a vision”, tirelessly advocating the mission in providing public kitchens in a whole city with sustainable, healthy meals prepared from scratch. Always defending the weak ones, challenging everyone from decision makers to students to take sustainability beyond the environment – to the plate and beyond.

Nordic Food Artisan 2019

Finland, Ainoa Winery

The winner fills a gap that has existed in Nordic cuisine. By using wild berries and other high quality ingredients from the forest they have created internationally recognized wines. This allows complementary pairings to create a pure Nordic taste experience.

Nordic Food for children and youth 2019

Finland, Hävikki-battle - Food waste-battle, Motiva Oy

The winner has succeeded in developing a concept of teaching and inspiring youth to turn food waste into treasure and share it on social media. By using all existing assets and meeting youth in their everyday life, the concept is providing knowledge and curious awareness for lifelong learning by doing.  

Nordic Food Communicator 2019

Denmark, Claus Meyer

For decades, Claus Meyer has been an inspiration for Danish food culture. He is committed to the New Nordic Kitchen Manifesto. With passion and energy, he is communicating the local products, sustainability, inclusiveness and biodiversity.

Nordic Food Entrepreneur 2019

Sweden, Bondens Skafferi

The winner is a link between producers, chefs and grocery stores. It helps the farmers to get their products out on the market. At the same time the producer is ensured a good price for his products. They highlight the importance of the food origin, quality and seasonal variations.

Nordic Food Destination 2019

Faroe Islands, Gimburlombini – Nólsoy

A small outer island of Nólsoy has managed to get "on the radar" by involving the locals in tourist experiences. The inhabitants use what the island has to offer in an innovative  and modern way. In the past, people were moving from the island. Now they are staying and taking part in the storytelling of the destination.

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Winners

Embla 2017 - Nordic Food Awards

Nordic Food Producer 2017

Faroe Islands, Dimunargardur

The family's livelihood is what the island can provide: sheep, cows, poultry, seabirds and produce. All of which is produced using traditional techniques in innovative ways and with respect for the environment. Their products are sold on the mainland, where they have a reputation for unique quality and purity. Website: storadimun.fo

Nordic Food for Many 2017

Sweden, Annika Unt

Creates positivity and joy around the public meal. Inspires both staff and students with nutrition, health, education and a wide knowledge, always focusing on the joy of eating. She stresses the fact that Sweden is unique with its free school meals to all students, she puts the focus on Swedish flavors, local producers and the understanding of where the food comes from. YouTube: youtube.com

Nordic Food Artisan 2017

Faroe Islands, Leif Sørensen

Leif Sørensens hand-made fermented fish crisps, or “Fish Chips”, are made from fermented fish held together by different Nordic grains, predominantly barley. Fermented fish is a traditional and unique product of the Faroe Islands, and Leif Sørensen have expanded the utility of the product, winning the fish category of Open Icelandic Championship for Artisan Food Production with his crisps.

Nordic Food for children and youth 2017

Norway, Geitmyra Matkultursenter

Started up in 2011. This is a noncommercial foundation. The vision for Geitmyra is to learn children how the food is grown, make food and learn how our food ends up in our plate. They collaborate with the schools in Oslo. But they also have after school activities and classes in the week ends for families. It is Andreas Viestad that is the founder. Website: geitmyra.no

Nordic Food Communicator 2017

Åland, Michael Björklund, Smakbyn

Alandian chef that is active both in Sweden and Finland. Has done cooking shows with local food as theme in all the Nordic countries, “Mat så in i Norden”. The unique about Michael is his commitment and ability to highlight the value in the simple and local in food culture, and make these gathered things to something great. His cooking has never been about the exceptional or fine dining, but instead about Nordic foods and food culture that touches us all and he has done so for a long time – long before the blooming of Nordic food as a trend. Michael has been co-author to a lot of Nordic cookbooks. Website: smakbyn.ax YouTube: youtube.com

Nordic Food Entrepreneur 2017

Finland, Thomas Snellman, Developer and distributor of the REKO retail

Inspired by a delivery model for short food supply chain in France, organic farmer Thomas Snellman, brought the REKO retail and distribution model for local food to Finland. REKO, launched in 2013, stands for fair consuming and offers customers a unique way of ordering products directly from the producer, without the need for middlemen and administrative costs. The REKO networks operate via closed Facebook groups in which orders and deliveries are agreed on. The revolutionary REKO model has spread widely due to Snellman’s enthusiastic and inspiring work: over 150 networks with over 200 000 consumers operate in Finland, over 30 networks in Sweden and there’s a growing interest in other Nordic countries and Europe. Website: ekonu.fi

Nordic Food Destination 2017

Faroe Islands, Heimablídni

The Faroese phrase “heimablídni” translates directly as “home hospitality”, and all across the islands you can enjoy authentic and intimate dining experiences in people’s homes. In addition to being served traditional homemade Faroese food, these underground restaurants will treat you to interesting stories that relate to that particular part of the country or village. Website: visitfaroeislands.com

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